Hydroturbine vacuum pumping apparatus



Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657,555

' B. sKlDMoRE, JR

HYDHOTURBINE VACUUM PUMPING APPARATUS Filed April 2 .1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 31, 1928. 1,657g555 a. SKIDMORE. JR

HYDROTURBINE VACUUM PUMPING AIPARATUS Filed April 28 1924 3 Sheets-sheet 3 I l I I l l l I I I I Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

UNITED STATES IBI ENJ'AMIN SKIDMORE, .73., OF CHICAGO, ILLI NOIS.

HYDBO'IURBINE VACUUM PUMPING APPARATUS.

Application filed April as, 1924. Serial No. rotate.

This invention relates to improvements in hydroturbine vacuum pumping apparatus and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this char v acter by means of the use of which vapors, gases, air, and water of condensation may be drawn from a heating s stem and se arated, the vapor, gases an air being ischarged to.the atmosphere and the separated water bein delivered against a boiler or feed water eater pressure.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character havin improved means whereby the pumping mec anism may be selectively controlled in its operation by the vacuum or the volume or height of water: I

A further object of the present invention -is to so combine and arrange the various parts whereby a compact structure will be provided and the cost of manufacture will be greatly reduced.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful-objects as will ap ear, the invention consists in the features 0 novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as taken on line 2-2, Fi ure 5. Figure 3 is a vertlcal sectional .view as taken on line 3-3,- Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5, Figure 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates a tank! or receiver which may be '01 any desired size and 1 configuration and is open to the atmosphere tion with the tank. The casin as at 11.

Within the tank and preferably adjacent the bottom thereof but spaced thereabove is a casing 12 which is provided with an inlet opening 13 leading through the tank 10 from the outsidethereof and out ofcommunica- 12 is also provided withan opening 14 lea 111 through the tank 10 out of communication t erewith and connected with the passage 14, preferthe main line 17 and throu ably through the medium of a pipe 15, is a vacuum regulating valve 16 for controlling the vacuum in the casing 12. p

The valve 16 may be of any desired and well known construction and is set for the predetermined degree of vacuum which is to be mamtamed in .the pum so that when the vacuum increases beyon the predetermined degree the valve 16 will automatically operate to admit outside air into the pump casing to reduce the vacuum to the predetermmed degree. 7

The vapors, water and air from the system are delivered into the casinghof arotor from Interposed between the mam line or pipe 17 and the passage 13 is a strainer and a check valve designated generally by the reference numeral 18. The check valve and the strainer may be of any desired or suitable construction but is referably of, the construct1 on shown and (i r1al Number 675,289, filed ovember 17, 1923. The outlet of the casing of the eleescribed in application, Se-

the passage 13.

ment 18 is connected with the inlet of the passage 13, while the inlet of the element 18 13 preferably connected through the medium of a pipe 19 with the pipe 17.

A portion of the casing 12 is shaped to form a volute assage 20 having a discharge outlet 21 for elivering liquid, vapors and air into the tank 10. 4

' A rotor designated generally by the refereuce numeral 22 in Figure 2, is arranged wlthm the volute chamber 20 and this rotor may be of. any desired and suitable construction. The rotor employed ispreferably of the construction disclosed in United States Patent 1,3 90,390, issued September 13, 1921, suction be ng created in the passages 24 dur-' mg the operation of ,the rotor and which passages 24' are in communication with the return line or pipe 17,.through the medium of thechamber or casing 12, and the passage 13. I

Liquid is supplied to the rotor from the tank 10 by means of a passage 25 which has communication with the rotor as at 26, the

passage 25 being located within the tank 10- with the inlet 27 thereof terminatin pref-.

erably at a point in proximity to the ottom of the tank.

As a means for providing a liquid seal for the end of the rotor 22, there may provided a passage 28 in the .wall of the casing which has communication with the tank 10 and also with a chamber or passage suita le connection 31 with a shaft 32, the.

latter being preferably connected by one end to the rotor as at 33 and is journaled in suitable bearings 34 arranged within a casing 35.

(Jo-operating with the rotor 22 is a centrifugal pump 36 which operates within a casing 37. The casing 37 may be formed as a separate unit and connected to the wall of the tank 10 and the pump 36 is connected with the shaft 32 for operation therewith. Obviously a number of these centrifugal pump units may be connected with the shaft 32 when multi-staging is desired. The casing 37 has a discharge outlet 38 through which the liquid from the tank 10 may be discharged and this outlet 37 may be connected to any suitable point of use such as a boiler, hot well or a feed water heater into which the liquid is discharged from the casing 37 against the pressure in the boiler, hot well or feed water heater.

- Liquid from the tank 10 is supplied to the centrifugal pump 36 preferably through a chamber or passage 39, having an inlet opening 40, the latter having communication with the interior of the tank. The liquid level in the tank 10 may be controlled by the end 41 of the wall 42 of the chamber or passage 39, the end 41 of the wall being disposed at a predetermined height at which it is desired to establish the liquid level in the tank. It will be manifest that with this construction when the liquid in the tank 10. rises above the end 41 of the wall 42, the excess liquid will flow into the passage 39 throu h the opening 40 and will be supplied to t e pump 36 through the opening 43. The pump 36 being rotated with the shaft 32 will pick up the liquid sup lied thereto through the assage39 and wi l deliver the liquid through the discharge opening'38.

A supplemental closed tank 44 may be provided and has connection with the system, preferabl to the return line 17, through the me ium of a pipe connection 45, and this tank 44 may be provided with an indicating gauge 46 for indicating the degree of vacuum existing in the tank 44. A vacuum controlled switch diagrammatically illustrated at 47 has communication with the tank 44 through a connection 48, the switch 47 bein of any ordinary and well known type. K magnetic switch diagrammatically illustrated at 49, and which may be of any desired or suitable type, is provided for controlling the operation of the motor 30, one side of the switch 49 being connected with the motor through the conductors 50-51 and the other side of the switch 49 is connected with the source of supply of current through the conductors 5253, a neutral conductor 54 being also connected with the motor. A main line switch 55 is also provided for controlling the supply of current to the motor 30.

Leading from the main line conductor 54 is a branch conductor 56 which hasconnection with one side of the vacuum controlled switch 47, a cut out 57 being provided in the conductor 56 for cutting out the vacuum controlled switch 47 when desired. The other side of the switch 47 is connected through the medium of the conductor 58 with one side ofthe motor control switch 49, a conductor 59 being also provided and connecting opposite sides of the magnetic switch 49.

The vacuum controlled switch 47 is provided as a means for automatically controlling the operation of the motor 30 by the vacuum in the system and in the tank 44, and

the cut out 57 is provided for cutting out the vacuum switch. By the use of this vacuum controlled switch the pump may be automatically controlled during the daytime or during the time that the system is in full operation, but at night time or whenever it is desired, the switch 57 may be opened so that the motor will not be controlled by the vacuum in the system.

When the manually controlled switch 57 is closed and the vacuum in the system and in the tank 44 falls to a predetermined point, the vacuum controlled switch 47 will close the circuit to the across the line magnetic switch 49 which in turnconnects the current direct to the motor through the medium of the conductors 50 and 51 and this will start the motor. When the vacuum in the system and tank 44, has reached a predetermined point it will actuate the switch 47 so that it will break the circuit by again causing the operation of the magnetic switch 49, to stop the motor.

When the pump is first started suction will be created by the rotor and will con- 't'inue until apredetermined vacuum has been created in the system, which will also be manifestedin the vacuum tank 44, and as before stated when the vacuum increases beyond a. predetermined degree the motor will be stopped through the medium of the vacuum controlled switch '47. When the vacuum drops below a predetermined degree the vacuum controlled switch 47 will again operate to start the motor 30. I

If liquid accumulates in the system and the vacuum remains high the liquid will be forced through the pipe 45 due to its head and into the tank 44, the tank 44 will then be water sealed against the vacuum in the system. As the liquid rises in the tank 44 the vacuum therein will drop, causing the switch 47 to cut in and energize the switch 49 to start the pumping operation. This inn method of operation gives aw'ater line control regardless of the height of vacuum in the system.

If desired the connection 48 leading from the vacuum controlled switch 47 may have communication directly with the pipe 17 and in this event the tank'44. m'aybe eliminated.

This arrangement, however, will cause a more frequent actuation of'the' control'device. 7

If it is desired to operate this device only as a condensation'pum and receiver, that is, as for instance at night, or whenever it is desired to keep the system free from water of condensation without maintaining a vacuum on the system, there may be provided means for controlling the operation switch diagrammatically illustrated as at and which switch 65 may be ofthe ordinary and well-known construction which operates when the lever 64 is moved in one direction to open the switch and when moved in the opposite direction closes the switch, the op eration of the lever 64 being controlled by the rise and fall of the float 60 in the tank 10 under the influence ot' the amount of liquid in the tank 10. The conductor 56 is connected to one side of the switch 65 and to the other side of the switch 65 is connected a conductor 66 which also has connection with the magnetic switch 49.

lVhen water in the system reaches suflicient head to cause it to flow through the rotor into the casing of the pump and tank 10, the float will risecansing the switch 65 to complete the circuit and energize the magnetic switch 49. which in turn cuts in the motor 30 to the line circuit. This will start the pump and water will be taken from the tank 10 and discharged through the outlet 38 in the manner as hereinbefore described. When the water in the tank 10 falls to a predetermined level, the float 60 will drop and this will operate the switch 65 to de-energize the magnetic switch 49 and stop the motor.

If desired the switch 65 may be actuated through the medium of a float arranged within the tank 44.

While the device so operated starts as an ordinary condensation pump does, it has the distinct advantage that it will continue running so long as any water remainsin the return line or mains and will completely clear them from water even though the returns are below the level of the pump. The reason for this is that the rotor will, deliver liquid into the pump casing faster than the centrifugal pump can return it to the boiler or feed water heater, thus keeping the float '60 in raised position until water is removed from the system. 1

The'vacuum controlled switch .47 may be operated in conjunction with the switch 65 or may be cut out so that the system will be controlled only by the switch 65 as at night and in order to accomplish this result it is only necessary to open the switch or cut out 47. In this event theapparatus will op erate as a condensation pump and receiver.

Should pressure in the boiler or feed water heater rise above the pressure the centrifugal pump is designed to operate against, the water level in tank 10 will rise causing float 60 to rise and operate to close valve 67. Then water or air delivered into tank 10 by rotor 22 will cause pressure in tank 10 enabling, the centrifugal pump to operateagainst a higher pressure, in other words it double stages the pump.

This float controlled .valve 67 has another 57 .to interrupt the circuit to the switchfunction as it will at all times prevent water and 47 are preferably of,

ion

pump and receiver the switch or cut out 57 is opened, rendering inactive the vacuum controlled switch 47, and assumin that vthe "motor 30 is idle, the water of corn ensation in the system will then accumulate and will flow, through the rotor into the tank 10 and accumulate therein until the liquid'level in the tank 10 rises suiliciently to raise the oat 60, this will actuate the switch 65 to compl to the circuit through the motor 30, starting-the latter and operating the rotor 22 and -centrifugal pump 36. The water of condensation is drawn from the system by. the suction of the rotor, and the centrifugal pump 36 is supplied with water' from the tank 10, the water from the centrifugal pump being clelivered through the passage 1e. and discharge opening 38 back to the boiler or-feed water heater. This operation'will continue until the liquid level in the tank 10 lowers suferation willbe repeated from time to timeas 1 the liquid level in theta-11k rises-and falls.

When, however, it is desired to control the operation of the apparatushy thefvacuum, v the cut-out 57 willibe closed and when the apparatusis 1-unning;-the redetermine'd de'-. gree of vacuum in the sy 111 will be manitested in the vacuum tank 44. If the vacuum in the system increases the vacuum controlled switch 47 will operate to stop the pump and if the vacuum falls below the predetermined degree the vacuum in the tank will operate to control the switch 47 to again start the pump. If wateraccumulatcs in the system and the vacuum remains high, the tank 44 will be water sealed against the vacuum in the system. The head of water when sufficiently high will cause the water to enter the tank at which time the vacuum in the tank will decrease rapidly causing the switch 47 to cut in and energize the motor tostart the pump operating, thus giving a water line control regardless of the height of vacuum in the system.- M

With the present construction it will be noted that the air, vapors, and water which are discharged into the tank or receiver 10, are delivered thereinto above the normal liquid level in the receiver, with the result that less power is required than would be necessary in the event that the air, vapors and water are delivered into the receiver below the normal liquid level therein.

The initial supply of water for the tank or receiver 10 may be delivered thereto as by city ressure through asuitably controlled opening 68. This opening may also beemp oyed, when desired, as a clean out opening for the tank or receiver.

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is 1. An apparatus of the character described including a separating receiver normally open to the atmosphere, a hydro-turbine pump within the receiver for withdrawing gases, vapors and water of condensation from a heating system and delivering the same into the receiver, means for supplying l quid to the pump from a point in proximityto the bottom of the receiver, and a centrifugal pump exterior of the receiver and having communication therewith for withdrawing water from the receiver and delivering the same to a boiler or the like.

2. An apparatus of the character described including a separating receiver normally open to the atmsophere, a hydro-turbine pump within the receiver for withdrawing gases, vapors and water of condensation from a heating system and delivering the same into the receiver, means for supplying liquid to the pump from a low elevation in the receiver. a centrifugal pump for with drawing water from the receiver and delivering the same to a boiler or the like, and valve mechanism controlled by the height of the liquid in' the receiver for closing the receiver to the atmosphere, whereby the first recited pump will cause an increased pressure to be exerted upon the liquid in the receiver supplied to the second recitedpump.

3. An apparatus of the character described including a separating receiver, a hydro-turbf'ne pump for withdrawing gases, vapor and water from a heating system and delivering them into the receiver, said pump embodying a casing, said casing being disposed within and forming an integral structure with the said receiver, an inlet to the casing leading to a point in proximity to the bottom of the receiver whereby liquid will be delivcred from a low elevation in the receiver to the pump, a centrifugal pump for withdrawing liquid from the receiver and delivering the same to a boiler or the like, and means for operating the pumps.

4. An apparatus of the character described including a separating receiver, a hydro-turbine pump for withdrawing gases, vapor and water from a heating system and delivering them into the receiver, said pump embodying a casing, said casing being disposed within and forming an integral structure with the said receiver, an inlet to the casing leading to a point in proximity to the bottom of the receiver whereby liquid will be delivcred from a low elevation in the receiver to the pump,-a centrifugal pump for withdrawing liquid from the receiver and delivering the same to a boiler or the like, means for operating the pumps, and means for causing said pumps to operate as a two stage pump.

5. An apparatus of the character described including a separating receiver, a hydroturbine pump for withdrawing gases, va or and water from a heating system and de ivering them into the receiver, said pump embodying a casing, said casing being disposed within and forming an integral structure with the said receiver, an inlet to the casing leading to a point in proximity to the bottom of the receiver whereby liquid will be delivered from a low elevation in the receiver to the pump, a centrifugal pump for withdrawing liquid from the receiver and delivering the same to a boiler or the like, means for operating the pumps, said receiver being normally open to atmosphere, and a valve controlled by the height of the liquid in the receiver for closing the receiver to the atmosphere, whereby the first recited pump will cause an increased pressure to be exerted upon the liquid in the receiver supplied to the second recited pump.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 25th day of April, A. D. 1924.

BENJAMIN SKIDMORE, JR. 

